Stocking



(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 1. L. M. PRESTON. STOCKING. No. 472,815. Patented Apr. 12, 1892.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEONIDAS M. PRESTON, OF BONHAM, TEXAS.

STOCKING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 472,815, dated April 12, 1892.

Application filed December 31, 1891. Serial No. 416.632. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONIDAS M. PRESTON,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Bonham, in the county of Fannin and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Stockings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stockings, particularly that type which it has been proposed to manufacturein two sections-aleg-section and a foot-section-susceptible of being connected and disconnected by sewing, for the purpose of renewing the foot-section when unduly worn by substituting therefor a new section. The proposed prior construction has never come into general use, and is objectionable in that the joining edges of the sections are formed with a selvage or are completed by a distinct casting ofi or finishing to form a selvage in the knitting operation, which necessitatesthe exercise of patience and care in picking or lifting up the loops from the selvaged or finished edge in connecting the two sections. Further, when the sections are united in the proposed prior construction the selvaged or finished edges of the parts present a seam comparatively inelastic in the direction of its length or round the stocking, which feature is very objectionablein that it interferes with the elasticity of the stocking at the very pointin juxtaposition to the ankle where such quality is most essential in putting on and taking off the article.

The objects of my invention are to avoid the objections stated, to improve the prior construction, to render the article practicable and more desirable and satisfactory, to provide at the point of junction of the sections an elasticity co-ordinate with the elasticity at other portions of the stocking, and to avoid the time, vexation, and tedious labor involved fastened by a thread or threads, which in no wise interfere with the proper or requisite elasticity of the stocking when the section are united by sewing.

The invention also consists in a knitted stocking composed of a complete foot-section and a complete leg-section, each having one edge formed with loops which normally protrude therefrom and have their necks locked by a thread, which is tied round each loop transverse to the length thereof in j uxtaposition to'the knitted body of the section.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of aknitted stocking constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 is a detail view on an enlarged scale to more clearly show the protruding loops and one manner of tying their necks. 1

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein--.

The numeral 1 indicates the legesection, and 2 the foot-section, each formed as a complete section by knitting and the foot-section comprising a part 3 of the ankle portion of a stocking. These sections are designed to be connected by the purchaser or user through the medium of a needle and thread, and to accomplish this in a practicable, simple, and convenient manner I form each of the edges to be united with a row of loops 4, which normally and permanently protrude lengthwise from the edge of the section, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 2. This formation of the loops can be readily effected by ceasing the knitting operation to leave the lastformed loops protruding. It is desirable permanently to hold the loops in proper protrusion to prevent them from being pulled out or raveled and to hold them from drawing back into the knitted body of the stockingsection, and to attain this result I tie and securely fasten the neck 5 of every loop through the medium of slip-knots 6, formed in a thread which extends transversely round the edge of the stockingsection. The slip knots are drawn tightly round the necks of the loops in juxtaposition to the edge of the knitted body; but sufficient slack is left in the portions 7 of the thread at points between the loops and slip-knots to provide elasticity at this part of the stocking, which is co-ordinate with the elasticity of the other portions of the stocking.

In practice I shall employ means for mechanically tying the necks of the loops; but as this can be effected manually, and as I do not confine myself to any special knot or tie for securely fastening the necks of the loops, I do not deem it essential to more fully illustrate or describe the same.

The lengthwise protrusion of the loops places them in the best position for the convenient and rapid entrance of a needle therethrough for the purpose of connecting the lower edge of the leg-section with the upper edge of the foot-section. The parts may be united bythe ordinary buttonhole-stitch so familiar to those acquainted with sewing, and the thread 'used may be colored silk for the purpose of ornam enting the completed article. The point of connection between the leg and foot sections is at the ankle portion of the low the shoe=tops; but even if the seam be visible it will be rather ornamental than otherwise, especially if a colored-silk stitch be:

employed for connecting the parts.

Although I have specifically-described my,

invention in connection with stockings, and particularly those designed for women, it will be obvious that my invention is equally useful for tights and all other garments compris in picking out or lifting the loops from a sel-I vaged or finished edge, while the loops are placed in the best possible position for the convenient and rapid insertion of a threaded needle for the purpose of connecting the two sections. the necks of the loops so that they are locked in juxtaposition to the edges of the stockingsections I avoid unraveling and prevent the loops from drawing inward into the knitted body of the article, and consequently the loops of a leg-section will be preserved in proper position for the subsequent application of many foot-sections.

The invention provides stockings, tights, and garments of like character which are formed in two separable parts adapted to be attached and detached, the lower or foot portion, which is most exposed to wear, being manufactured and sold in duplicate, so that any person can at a very small expense of time and money and with little labor or skill repair a worn article of this class and restore it to a condition substantially as good as new. This avoids the sacrifice of the uninjured leg portion, which constitutes in a stocking much the larger portion of the garment.

The advantages derived from the invention lengthwise from By tying and securely fastening are numerous; but the main object is to avoid the time and labor required to darn holes in the foot of a stocking or similar garment. Thefoot of a womans stocking constitutes about one-fifth of the whole article, and the leg portion will last as long as many foot portions. The present invention provides for the simple and convenient renewal of the foot portion, and thereby avoids darning, which is objectionable, especially to those people having tender feet and to which a seam or darn is disagreeable.

When the leg and foot sections are united, they form an apparently continuous unbroken or undivided fabric, the line of division being so located at the ankle portion as to enable the user to separate or detach the worn por- The foot portions are intended to be made in duplicate of various sizes, in order that they may be sold either singly or by the quantity. stocking, and ordinarily the seam will lie bei Theinvention providesa convenient method of repairing worn stockings and may be adopted and successfully used by persons of both sexes, since no special skill is required in order to remove the'worn parts and substitute new ones therefor. The work is exceedingly simple and can be quickly performed, while 5 the saving in expense is considerable, espewithout in any way interfering with the I00 proper or required elasticity at the ankle portion, which result cannot be obtained if the sections are formed with selvaged or finished edges, as heretofore proposed.

Having thus described my invention, what I 10 5 claim is 1. A knitted stocking composed of attachable and detachable leg and foot sections, each formed at the joining edge with loops which normally protrude lengthwise therefrom and have their necks tied and securely fastened by a thread, which in no wise interferes with the requisite elasticity of the stocking when the sections are united, substantially as described.

2. A knitted stocking composed of leg and foot sections, each having one edge formed with loops which normally protrude therefrom and have their necks locked by a thread,

which is tied around each loop transverse to the length thereof in juxtaposition to the knitted body of the section, substantially as de scribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in presence of 12 5 two subscribing witnesses.

L. M. PRESTON. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. NORRIS, J. A. RUTHERFORD. 

